MOUNT 74385

Description: Incomplete copper alloy gilt face of a lion, possibly originally encompassing more of the body though this is unlikely due to the positioning of the loop. The metal is 0.5mm thick and concave at the reverse, the eyebrows, nose and cheeks of the animal defined by being pushed from the reverse and therefore raised at the front of the face. Also on the reverse is a sheet metal loop, 4mm wide and bent over but c.15mm in length. It is thicker than the mount itself, c.0.75-1mm. It extends behind the nose. The face has prominent eyebrows and pointed oval eyes beneath with large pupils 2-3mm in diameter. The nose extends from the eyebrow region in a triangle shape, narrowing but then becoming rounded at the nose itself. The jowls lie diagonally to either side but this is wear the edge is jagged and broken. Above the eyebrows it is also a little jagged. The mount would originally have been covered in a thick gilding, much of which survives betweent the eyebrows and around the eyes. Measures 20x20x0.5mm. Weighs 4.11g. This is undoubtedly high medieval in date but its function is unclear. It is called a mount in the loosest possible sense of the word, and because it is unclear as to what it might ectaully be, save being mounted on something with the loop. It is very possibly some kind of button, or accessory for dress or harness.

Object type: MOUNT

Last import: August 15, 2017